how's the weather on your high horse?

So, lately, I've been making a few trips to Orlando for work, in light of who my client is.  One of the things I do not enjoy about the trip is the volume of kids running up and down the aisle.  Don't get me wrong, I love kids.  But in a crowded place where there's no options for where to go and take a nap or do work?  But kids will be kids.  In fact, I love how one of my favorite executives in my firm called it ... flights to Orlando are flying school buses.

But what bothers me more than a full flight being half kids is the other half being businessmen.  For some reason, businessmen think that because they fly every week, then they're entitled to everyone on the plane catering to their needs.  Latest example, a guy gets on the plane 15 minutes before departure and is fussing because the overhead space over row 1 is taken and he either has to put his bag in the back, or check it.  This is a really big issue for him.  Somehow waiting 5 more minutes to get his bag in Chicago is going to kill him.  I'm sorry sir, these families on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World should have realized you'd be coming late and they should have put their bags in the back to make room for you.

Then I get to Chicago.  Get in line for a cab.  It's a really long line, but it's a peak travel time for the week, and the line is moving fast.  Eventually I get to the front of the line.  Then some lady comes running up and mouthing off at the attendants of the taxi stand.  "I travel all over the world!  And when I get to my own %$!$#@ home city, I have to wait 25 minutes for a cab!  I travel all over the world!"  Really?  You travel all over the world?  Wow, I bet you're the only one in line like that.  My trip to India tomorrow must be a mistake.  I'm sure it's Indiana.  But if it is India, then wow, I'm entitled to never wait in line again after I get back.  Cool.

All that to say, why are we (yes, first person plural) like that?  Why do we think that we are the most important person in the world?  Why don't we realize how inconsiderate and disrespectful that can be to others?

It's funny how, when talking about homeless ministry with people, we tend to be hesitant to give too much to the homeless out of fear of perpetuating a sense of entitlement.  Yet, it seems like we ourselves know all too well this sense of entitlement.